ABSTRACT
In this and the next chapter the words of the modern English language will be at the centre of our discussion. Chapter 3 will focus on combinations of words (so-called multiword units like idioms and proverbs). In this chapter the English vocabulary will be looked at from various points of view: the concept of word and the relationship between words and meaning; the major types of dictionaries; the structure and development of the English vocabulary; new words in the media and the Internet; euphemisms; non-sexist language; word formation; how words change their meanings; and a model commonly useful in the analysis of the English vocabulary.
